How right you are Dick. Singing in nursing homes (Elder Hostels) presents some intriguing dilemmas. Many of my performances are in Church folk clubs - and I like bawdy humour. More dilemmas.
One of the great Quebecois songs of this generation is "Mon Pays" by Gilles Vigneault. When I sung that in Toronto a few years ago, more than one (folk) audience member asked if I favoured the "destruction" of Canada.
Guess for me it comes down to "what's the motivation?" Each of us has our own "evil twin" who loves to "stick it" to selected folks, now and then, and I'm certainly no exception. I've seen a bit of (what I perceive as) that in this thread, and I can't help trying to suppress a bit of a smile.
Remember though, Randy newman, (can't tell you how brilliant I think he is)Phil Ochs, Dylan, Lehrer, Vigneault, the Rappers etc. mix satire, with their reality. I don't think Foster did - it's usually not good for sales. My reaction to "Shack" was mostly because of his wording - which I saw as a bit superficial. Kinda hoped he'd at least come back and prove me wrong. I ain't afraid to say "I just didn't get it>"
rick